Mario super happy at City

Mario Balotelli has insisted he is happy at Manchester City and happy scoring goals – even if he does not always show it.

The 20-year-old Italian striker has seldom cut a cheerful figure at the English Premier League club since his August move from Serie A club Inter Milan, with persistent rumours he is homesick and is angling for a move to AC Milan.

City manager Roberto Mancini has also said he wants Balotelli to ‘smile’ more, particularly after scoring.

His young striker nabbed a hat-trick against Aston Villa on Tuesday, but again failed to celebrate with any enthusiasm.

Nonetheless, Balotelli has insisted he is content at City and wants to add to his tally of eight goals in 12 appearances for the club.

“I am always happy, even when I don’t smile,” he told the club’s official website.

“But I feel a striker has to score. It is my job. That is why I don’t smile. I am still happy and I can score more.”

Balotelli also denied reports he is keen on a return to Milan, and is committed to keeping City in title contention: “I am very happy even if the journalists in Italy say I want to go to Milan.”

“I am here and I am working hard in training. I want to be an important man for this team and the results are on the pitch.”

“We can win this championship. In the new year we can be better.”